Spiral Stairs Maze

Made up entirely of concentric spiral stairways, this is an idea that's been rattling around in my brain for a while. Each staircase is made of 12 steps, and the circles have 2, 3, 4, and 6 staircases going out from the center. Where the tops of each staircase meet and there is a doorway, you can pass between the circles. There is also an option to make the walls invisible so you can see the whole maze from outside.

To solve, download the Sketchup model and click "Walkthrough", which will set the optimal eye height and field of view for walking through the maze. Use the Walk tool and push the arrow keys to walk, and the Look Around tool to see more from one place. Start at one of the doorways at the bottom of the tower, and try to get to the top. If you find that too hard, click "Skeleton view" to make the walls invisible. Some tips for solving: explode all the components and mark your way with paint, or use scenes as you walk through. You will need Google Sketchup.

Braided Maze

I found this maze in some old papers, finished it up, and colored it. I had fun making this, so I hope it will be fun to solve!

3D Hedge Maze

My newest favorite toy: Google Sketchup. Fun, easy (once you get the hang of things), and free. I've been toying with different ways to draw mazes using this program, and finally decided to go with the old-fashioned hedge maze to start with. I've been to several of these in Europe, and they're extremely fun to run around in, play hide-and-seek, or just explore. Here's my take on an old idea, with over- and under-passes of course!


Go to the center first, and then find your way out to the other side. Remember, you can only go up and down stairs that are connected by a bridge or tunnel, and no climbing over hedge walls! I put little benches in to rest when you get tired. 

If you want to walk through this maze and see it from all angles, download Sketchup or Sketchup Viewer and have a blast. Here's the simplest file, and a more complex one with textures and other features, like a fountain and a tree. (I didn't make the tree, but imported it from 3D Warehouse).

This little video shows one possible route you could take through the maze.

I am also updating my older posts, adding solutions and making sure all the links work so you can see the large-sized pictures if you want.

Star of David Tesselation

This was very fun to draw, but I had to touch it up a lot afterward to straighten the lines (I don't always use rulers either). I love tesselations and other geometrical oddities like the work of M.C. Escher.



Colored Version 
(not my favorite, but it might be easier to see)

Swirls

Pretty fun to do.





Solution

Twisty

I think I got the idea for this from a fancy breadstick.




Solution

Weaving maze

Loopy Maze

Black & White